Affordable Care Act: More Young Adults Insured, Report Says

Comstock/Thinkstock (NEW YORK) -- The Affordable Care Act has been hotly debated by both lawmakers and their constituents alike. Now, new research from the Commonwealth Fund says nearly 8 million young adults, aged 19-29, acquired new or better health insurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act’s “dependent coverage provision."

According to the report, when respondents were offered health benefits through their employer, 67 percent took the coverage. Of those who did not enroll in an employer health plan, 54 percent said they did not do so because they were already covered by a parent, spouse or partner; 22 percent said they could not afford the premiums. Just five percent rejected health coverage because they did not believe it was necessary.

At the same time, though, only about one-fourth of young adults were aware of their new options for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, suggesting that more public education is needed on the health care legislation.